site.btaOvine Rinderpest Outbreak Registered in Seven Municipalities across Two Regions

Sofia, July 17 (BTA) - An ovine rinderpest outbreak has been conclusively established in seven municipalities across two regions in Bulgaria, it transpired here from Tuesday's extraordinary parliamentary meeting. The emergency centre dealing with the outbreak detailed the floor leaders and Parliament's Chair and deputy chairs about the ongoing efforts to control the disease. MPs asked the Government to better inform the locals and the general population about the measures currently taken and such planned for the future.

The meeting which continued close to two hours took place at the request of the emergency centre, formed on Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's orders, which includes the leadership of the Food Safety Agency (BFSA) and the Interior Ministry, and Agriculture Minister Roumen Porozhanov.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party demanded Porozhanov's resignation, reasoning that the authorities' actions are inadequate and illegal. Socialist leader Kornelia Ninova warned that the State could be sued and sentenced to pay huge sums if the wronged livestock breeders file lawsuits, some of which are planning.

GERB floor leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov described BFSA's actions as adequate and timely. He quoted official data, according to which there are around 1.3 million sheep and goats in Bulgaria, of which 300,000 are in the southern regions of Yambol and Bourgas, while their number in the affected seven municipalities is close to 30,000. So far 4,000 animals have been culled, he explained.

Porozhanov said there are plans to hire a State-owned company to disinfect the affected areas.

Compensations will be at the maximum levels and will be paid out as soon as possible, which is between a week and ten days, Tsvetanov explained, adding that failing to euthanize the animals would put at risk people's livelihood.

Starting Tuesday, permanent police checkpoints have been set up at the two mountain passes on the territory of Stara Zagora Region - Shipka and the Pass of the Republic, where checks will be carried out in order to prevent the transporting of potentially dangerous or contagious animals from South to North Bulgaria, the regional administration reported.